Born in the Philippines and having spent part of her childhood in Singapore and Los Angeles, Danessa considers many places to be her home. Art and Psychology have always been the two driving forces of curiosity that propel her work. Danessa completed a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Sciences and a minor in Studio Art at the University of California, Irvine in 2009, and went on to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Loma Linda University and graduated in 2015. Together, her areas of expertise create a collaborative conversation between the process of art-making and the healing arts. Danessa’s paintings are based on acrylic medium and are heavily influenced by artists such as Morris Louis, Mark Rothko, and Clyfford Still. She currently lives and works in Northern California.
Artist Statement
My paintings explore the relationship between individuals and their lived experiences with love, healing, and transformation. Under the abstract expressionist style, I am able to create complex mixtures of strikingly colorful surfaces that tell a greater story. My artwork aims to convey that people are infinitely enhanced by what they have witnessed and learned to overcome.
The journey of art-making has given me the opportunity to infuse my work and knowledge as a psychologist into my creative style. Painting is my form of meditative practice and how I maintain a sense of balance. I want to share my work with individuals who also believe that art has the ability to heal invisible wounds of the heart, mind, and soul.
Similarly, my approach with photography is driven by my contemplative interest in people and their experiences. I enjoy capturing the fleeting, in-between moments with people and their interactions with life.
ON DISPLAY
CURRENT
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Past
Las Laguna Gallery - Laguna Beach, CA
Humanist Hall - Oakland, CA
San Jose Holiday Craft Fair - San Jose, CA
Pacific Art League - Palo Alto, CA
RAW Artists - San Jose, CA
Works/San Jose - San Jose, CA
Outlet Coworking - Sacramento, CA
SOMArts Cultural Center - San Francisco, CA
WPM Gallery - Sacramento, CA
Art Space 1616 - Sacramento, CA
University Art Store - Sacramento, CA
The Art Studios - Sacramento, CA
Private Collection - Fresno, CA
Private Collection - Fremont, CA
Private Collection - Reseda, CA
Private Collection - Sacramento, CA
Private Collection - Oceanside, CA
UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences - Sacramento, CA
California State Capitol - Sacramento, CA
Blue Line Arts Gallery - Roseville, CA
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Office Building - Los Angeles, CA
Humanist Hall - Oakland, CA
San Jose Holiday Craft Fair - San Jose, CA
Pacific Art League - Palo Alto, CA
RAW Artists - San Jose, CA
Works/San Jose - San Jose, CA
Outlet Coworking - Sacramento, CA
SOMArts Cultural Center - San Francisco, CA
WPM Gallery - Sacramento, CA
Art Space 1616 - Sacramento, CA
University Art Store - Sacramento, CA
The Art Studios - Sacramento, CA
Private Collection - Fresno, CA
Private Collection - Fremont, CA
Private Collection - Reseda, CA
Private Collection - Sacramento, CA
Private Collection - Oceanside, CA
UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences - Sacramento, CA
California State Capitol - Sacramento, CA
Blue Line Arts Gallery - Roseville, CA
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Office Building - Los Angeles, CA